Buoyed on by a simply incredible home support, the Polish team came from a set down to shock three-time defending champions Brazil and send the arena, Katowice and no doubt most of the country into a fury of jubilation as the nation wins just its second ever World Championship crown and first in 40 years.

The victory ensures Poland become the first nation to win their home World Championships since Czechoslovakia triumphed in front of their home fans in 1966. 

Brazil started the stronger of the two sides as the battled both their opponents and the more than 12,000-strong crowds to gain the upper-hand in the opening set.

After breaking into a two point lead at 5-3, the favourites never looked like falling into the grasp of the hosts, adding another three to increase their advantage to five.

Point of the weekend came at 9-6 as defence met defence in a battle of the blocks with Poland sending the crowd wild after notching the point with a brilliant smash.

That was highlight of the set for the home side, however, as Brazil quickly regained control to move into a seven point lead at 18-11.

An over hit serve by Polish captain Michal Winiarski sewed up the set for Brazil as they looked on course for a fourth straight title.

Poland's win is a first for a host country since Czechoslovakia accomplished the feat in 1966 ©Getty Images



The hosts had other ideas, of course, and started strongly in the second set, opening up a 2-0, then 3-1 lead over their opponents.

Brazil mustered up a comeback to level the score at seven apiece before Poland went on the attack again.

At 10-5 it was time for a second Brazilian fight back as they evened the set at 17-17 on the back of a six point streak.

Poland sent the crowds into yet another frenzy as they hit back on their own serve to gain clear water before smashing their way to a second set victory.

The third set started in a similar vein with the Poles holding a firm grip on the encounter by this point.

Although a closer set, the result was the same with a 25-22 scoreline moving Poland into a 2-1 lead in terms of sets.

Tensions were building in the fourth with the set evenly matched for its majority.

Brazil looked to have gained the momentum as they took a three point lead at 20-17 but the Poles dug deep to level the scoring at 21 each.

A failed video challenge by Brazilian coach Bernardo Rezende for a 22-21 Polish lead blew the roof off the arena as the crowd roared their team forward.

The support appeared to be working as the team struck twice in quick succession to sit a point from victory before a final smash on the Brazilian serve gave Poland their win and created history inside the fully-loaded Spodek Hall.

Germany stormed past France 3-0 to win the bronze medal at the Volleyball World Championships ©Getty Images



The win is a first for the Polish since 1974 in Mexico City with this first victory coming during a golden era for the national side.

A new era of Polish success looks to be on the horizon with this the second final the team has reached in three World Championships, having come second to Brazil in 2006, a tournament held in Japan. 

Although inconsistent at times, the nation also accumulated silver at the 2011 World Cup, bronze in the 2011 World League and gold in the 2012 World League.

Bronze here at the World Championships in Poland was won by Germany in the afternoon fixture after they stormed to a 3-0 win over France.

A controversial decision in the closing minutes of the final set saw Germany fall out of favour with the crowds, however, it made little difference to the result as they thundered home to win the fixture 25-21, 26-24, 25-23.

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